Simon Dick

A n I n t r o d u c t i o n t o
C o n t e m p o r a r y N a t i v e A r t i s t s i n C a n a d a

S i m o n D i c k

b. 1951, Alert Bay, British Columbia
First Nations Affiliation: Tsawataineuk Kwicksutaineuk; Kwagiulth

Raised in Kingcome Inlet, Simon Dick is a Kwakwaka'wakw traditionalist carver and Kwicksutaineuk chief, fluent in the Kwakwala language, dance, and teachings. A maternal and paternal descendant of grandfather chiefs, Dick was tutored by both, and apprenticed with acclaimed carver Tony Hunt and studied language and music with Chief Sam Henderson. A master canoe carver, Dick assisted Bill Reid in carving a seven-metre canoe, and with the Heiltsuk Nation of Bella Bella, a ten-and-a-half metre canoe. His third canoe was commissioned by the Museum fur Völkerkunde in Berlin. The artist's massive 18 metre fibreglass sculpture Kolus, won an award for stage design at Expo '86 and travelled to Expo '88 in Brisbane, Australia, before its purchase by the Canadian Museum of Civilization in Hull, Québec. An initiate into the prestigious Hamatsa secret society, Dick has also performed internationally. He held his first potlatch in 1983.

R E C E N T E X H I B I T I O N S

1991	Unveiling of Bill Reid’s Sculpture, The Spirit of Haida Gwaii. Washington, D.C. Chiefly Feasts. American Museum of Natural History, New York
1990	Volkerkunde Museum, Berlin, Germany (24' Canoe)
1986	United Kingdom
1985	Tsukuba, Japan New Zealand Asia Pacific, Vancouver, British Columbia Bonn, Germany
1980	Hawaii, USA

O T H E R E X H I B I T I O N V E N U E S

Copper That Came from Heaven.
University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia

S E L E C T E D C O L L E C T I O N S

Canadian Museum of Civilization, Hull, Québec

S E L E C T E D B I B L I O G R A P H Y

"Eagle nose mask." American Indian Art Magazine 22 (Summer 1997): 95.

"Kayapo warrior." American Indian Art Magazine 23 (Winter 1997): 118.

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